Two days after berating Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel for what he believed was an unfair quote attributed to redshirt junior wide receiver Deonte Thompson, Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer requested a private meeting with and apologized to the reporter after practice.

“I won’t get into the details of the conversation, but I would say Urban did apologize,” Fowler told reporters who actually requested a statement. “And I feel like, as far as a work-related conversation, it was constructive. I did [accept his apology], absolutely.”

Meyer, who sent his personal security guard to request a meeting with Fowler, spent 22 minutes speaking with him privately on the field. He explained his position more eloquently and eventually apologized for his actions.

“He wanted to defend his player. […] If he feels like one of his players gets wounded emotionally or physically or in any way, he wants to support that,” is the main message Fowler took away from the conversation.

Many called for Meyer to reach out to Fowler since the incident first took place Thursday after practice. Each party explained their side of the disagreement before reconciling.

“I tried to explain to him where I was coming from and tried to explain to him how I do my job,” Fowler said. “I think he understands that. It was constructive, and that’s all I really want to say on it. I don’t want to get into all the details. He was definitely receptive to what I had to say.I wanted to let him know it was not my intent to hurt Deonte Thompson in any way. […] I’m glad he approached me and talked to me about it constructively.”

Related

Reading

2 Comments

So in the end, Deonte’s message gets straightened out, Meyer looks good to players/parents, and Fowler gets to feel like a journalist. This couldn’t have been the plan…I think I’m giving Urban too much credit.

ABOUT US

OnlyGators.com (a/k/a ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive, Only Gators, OGGOA, OG) is an independent website owned by Only Gators, LLC. It is not affiliated in any way with the University of Florida, University Athletic Association or Florida Gators.